ANNOUNCEMENT: The First Annual Buster Keaton Blogathon!

Well, after the last couple posts I simply can’t hold it in any longer!  My friends, I am thrilled to announce:

Buster Keaton. The solemn-faced little man in a flat hat. The multi-talented performer. The incomparable filmmaker. The humble, hardworking man who loved to make people happy. He’s inspired countless filmmakers, has brought joy to several generations, and is probably the main reason why I’m typing this on my silent film-related blog right now. If anyone deserves his very own blogathon event, it’s the legendary Keaton.

…And heck yes, it’s going to be an annual event!

When: Sunday, February 8 and Monday, February 9, 2015.

Where: Right here on Silent-ology!

How: To sign up, pick a Keaton film/topic to write about then leave a comment on this post. You can also send me a message (don’t forget to include your name and the address of your blog!). Let me know whether you want to post on Sunday or Monday, otherwise I can schedule you. During the blogathon itself, when you publish your post leave me a comment or message with your link. There are some banners below to stick onto your blog–please help get the word out about this event!

What to write about: Anything and everything Buster Keaton! He had a long and busy career, spanning from vaudeville all the way up to 1960s T.V. commercials, so there’s a load of films to choose from. There are the early Comique shorts, his own classic shorts and features, MGM features, Educational shorts, Columbia shorts, appearances in films like Sunset Boulevard and Limelight, numerous T.V. appearances…well, you get the picture. Here’s his filmography for more ideas.

Details:

• Yes, I’m afraid I’m having a “no duplicates” rule. Otherwise we might end up with fifteen The Generals and six Limelights. If there’s a film you really want to cover, act fast! (Keep in mind that this blogathon will be an annual thing, so if the film you wanted is taken you always have another chance next year!).
• You can, however, choose more than one film if you want to do a compare/contrast sort of article.
• Do you want to write about a topic that’s not necessarily a film? Go right ahead! For instance, you could write about Keaton’s time in vaudeville, his stuntwork, how his films have influenced other filmmakers, etc. Heck, you could have 3,000 word Chaplin vs. Keaton essay if you want, I don’t care–as long as it’s thoughtful!
• Want to write about someone who worked with Keaton? That’s welcome too, as long as it relates to their contributions to his work. People like Virginia Fox, Big Joe Roberts, Eddie Cline, Clyde Bruckman, and Snitz Edwards are good examples (ooo, Snitz Edwards! Someone claim him, quick!).
• Let’s make Buster proud! There’s quite a bit of dubious information out there about his life (particularly his private life) so let’s do our best to wade through the rumors and find the most reliable info we can. Let’s make him, well, smile. *wink*

Roster:

Silent-ology | A Country Hero 

MovieMovieBlogBlog | Sherlock Jr.

Nitrate Glow | Our Hospitality

Outspoken and Freckled | Seven Chances

BOOKSTEVE’S LIBRARY | Early 1960s T.V. appearances

Moon in Gemini | Twilight Zone episode “Once Upon a Time”

My Classic Movies | The Villain Still Pursued Her

Silence is Platinum | The Cameraman

Wide Screen World | Steamboat Bill Jr.

Black Coffee Comedy | Good Night, Nurse!

Way Too Damn Lazy To Write A Blog | Parlor, Bedroom and Bath

Caftan Woman | Neighbors

Public Transportation Snob | Daydreams

MovieFanFare | A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Silver Screen Suppers | Keaton’s chop suey recipe

Girls Do Film | Keaton’s development as a screen artist in his 1917-1923 shorts

Silents, Please! | One Week

Marty Jones | The origin of the name “Buster”

Critica Retro | Speak Easily

Silver Screenings | Go West

Mildred’s Fat Burgers | The Cook

Once Upon a Screen | What! No Beer?

Tom Hopkins | The Awakening T.V. episode

Second Sight Cinema | The General

Sister Celluloid | Childhood memories of Buster’s films

Wolffian Classic Movies Digest | Sunset Blvd. and In the Good Old Summertime

In The Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood | The Navigator

The Big V Riot Squad | The Keaton family in vaudeville

Movies Silently | Contemporary views on Keaton films compared to 1920s reviews

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